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Every Miser Helps the Kaiser: 1918

Detroit circa 1918. "Belle Isle from the Dime Savings Bank." In addition to a variety of World War I signage. Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

Detroit circa 1918. "Belle Isle from the Dime Savings Bank." In addition to a variety of World War I signage. Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.

 

On Shorpy:
Today’s Top 5

No Excuse Whatsoever

Washington Post, Jun 16, 1918

War Savings Stamps

Boys and girls, are you buying war saving stamps to help Uncle Sam win this war? Every American should be able to answer this question with "Yes." Another question that's asked so much is, "Are we going to win this war?" This question is very foolish, but the question is, "How soon are we going to win this war?" Now this question depends entirely upon the boys and girls at home. The soldiers are doing their very best in fighting, but what they need is the backing of the money from home. The way we can do this is to buy war saving stamps.

Stop and think what a little amount of money it takes to buy a war savings stamp or baby bond. It takes only 16 thrift stamps to make a war savings stamp, and only a quarter (or five nickels) to make a thrift stamp. This is only denying yourself five ice cream cones or five times to the movies. When your relations and friends leave this country to go abroad and fight, don't you want them to be fed properly, have proper clothing, and ammunition? How can you expect Uncle Sam to pay for all this? Why can't you help too? You don't give your money to Uncle Sam — you lend it to him; and every day it stays in Uncle Sam's hands it brings interest. It is just like taking your money and putting it into the richest bank in the world; and it certainly is the best thing you can do for yourself and your country.

Every one of us should ask ourselves this question, "What am I doing to help win this war? What can I do?" There is something every man, woman and child can do to help Uncle Sam. If you can't go abroad and fight, or as a nurse, then you can lend your money; or in other words, if you can't go across with your friends, come "across" with the money. It is not always so easy for some to lend money as others, but there is always a way a person can get money if they haven't any. They can either wear their summer hat over again next summer, or wear their winter coat over again next winter, and take this money to buy war savings stamps, but if do not want to do this, go out and earn money in spare hours. There is no excuse whatsoever for any American not buying war saving stamps.

Just think of the boys who have enlisted, gone abroad and given their lives for the sake of you and me. Do you not think it is only right for us to back them up with our money? "Do not be a miser, if you want to beat the kaiser," and there is not a man, woman or child who wants their country and homes to be ruled by the kaiser.

Dear Aunt Anna: I am writing an essay on "War Savings Stamps" that I hope won't get to Granny Scrapbag.

With lots of love to you and the cousins, Lovingly, PATRIOT.

Ellen Buel (age 12) Herndon School, Herndon, Va.


Elsewhere on Shorpy:

Open for Business

  • 2 in 1 Shoe Polishes
  • A.J. Detlaff Co.
  • Bowling
  • Burns Hotel
  • Chop Suey
  • Detroit Patriotic Fund ("Fill the Flag")
  • Every Miser Helps the Kaiser! How Many War Savings Stamps Have You Bought?
  • Fairbanks
  • Holliday Box Co.
  • Gregory Mayer & Thom Co.
  • Lee & Cady Distributors
  • M. Scherer & Co. Auto and Vehicle Material
  • Machinery, Tools and Factory Supplies
  • Palace
  • Real Estate Exchange Building
  • Restaurant
  • Saints
  • Signs
  • The Home Candy Works
  • Waitt & Bond. Blackstone Mild 10 c Cigar
  • Walker & Co.

Here is a challenge for you. What is the sign on the roof of the large building to the right saying? Hotel Domt:Harirain ???

[It's "The Pontch," or Hotel Pontchartrain. - Dave]

Liberty Loan Yell

Every miser helps the Kaiser;
Every buyer rouses his ire;
Do your share, make him swear,
Bond! Bond! Bond!

The Last Picture Show

The building in the lower left housed the Family Theater, which burned down in the 1970s. At the time of the fire it was showing "Deep Throat," and while the smoke billowed out and firemen rushed in, the disgruntled patrons formed a line out front asking for refunds.

Just a one horse town

By 1918 there is only one horse in sight as it makes a delivery to the bowling alley.

Awning Chasm

It always bothers me that someone had to go out on the window ledge, or at least hang out of an umpteenth story window, to install those awnings.

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